CA Final Syllabus: Subjects, Marks and Exam Pattern

Ever read the CA Final syllabus PDF and finished it in 2 minutes? Many students do. It is full of standards, sections, and amendments. No one has to tell you what is really important. That’s what we’ll do today! We will work through each paper, word for word, in common terms.

This guide is for a few types of students. Some of you just cleared Intermediate. You want to know what comes next. Some of you missed a group last time. You need a fresh plan. And some of you are in articleship with almost no free time. I checked every number here against ICAI notices and the latest results. I also linked the sources. You can verify them yourself.

Here is what we will cover. The six papers. What changed in the new scheme. Exam dates and passing rules. Pass rates, a study plan, and career options. If you want guidance along with self-study, take a look at our finance courses. 

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What Is the CA Final Syllabus?

CA Final is the last exam in the Chartered Accountancy course. It is run by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). You clear it. Upon completion of your articleship, you are admitted to the Bar. Then you are a CA!

The CA Final syllabus is the desired syllabus from which ICAI can pose questions in this exam. The bottom line is that:

• There are six papers in two groups of three.
• The papers are 100 marks each. The total is 600.
• Most questions ask you to apply a rule to a case.
• There are two attempts a year. They happen in May and November starting from May 2026.

You can write one group at a time. You can also write both together. But you become a CA only after clearing both.

CA Final New Syllabus: What Changed

The CA Final new syllabus came with ICAI’s New Scheme of Education and Training. The big change is simple. Eight papers became six. There are fewer papers now. But each one asks more of you.

The marks are the same. The groups are the same. The list of subjects is just shorter.

CA Final Subjects New Syllabus at a Glance

Here is the full list. Keep this table close. We will come back to it.

Group I is accounting, finance, and audit. Group II is tax and one big case paper.

Also Read: Complete CA Syllabus Guide for Students

Paper-wise CA Final Syllabus For Group I

These are the subjects you will be learning in CA Final. There are six in total, split into two groups of three. Some are about numbers and accounts, some are about tax, and one brings everything together in a case study. Here is the full list, so you know what to expect before you begin.

Paper 1: CA Final FR Syllabus

FR is the biggest paper in the course. The CA Final FR syllabus is built on Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS). You learn how companies use them in their accounts.

• In practice, Ind AS includes items like revenue, leases, financial instruments, share-based payments, and EPS.
• Business combinations and consolidation
• Analysis of financial statements
• There is a need for integrated reporting and for sustainability disclosures.

Take a simple case. A company buys a rival in the middle of the year. What goes into the books? At what value? How do the joint accounts look? That is a classic FR question.

FR also gives marks for working notes. So do not write only the final number. Show your steps. Start early.

Paper 2: AFM Syllabus CA Final 

AFM was earlier called SFM. It has the most questions. Many students say it is the paper where you can score. If you like formulas, you may enjoy it. The CA Final AFM syllabus covers these topics:

• Financial policy and corporate strategy
• Risk management
• Security analysis and valuation
• Portfolio management
• Securitisation and mutual funds
• Derivatives and foreign exchange risk
• Business valuation
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Startup finance

If you look at the AFM syllabus, which the CA Final students work through, you will notice a pattern. It is mostly concepts plus sums. Learn the logic first. Then solve lots of questions. The steps will start to feel natural.

Here is a real-life example. A company must pay a foreign supplier in three months. Should it hedge? How? Or a firm wants to value a target before buying it. AFM turns such calls into exam questions. Plan for 150 to 200 hours. AFM does not change with the Budget. So it is a safe paper to start with.

Paper 3: CA Final Audit Syllabus

This paper tests how an auditor thinks. The CA Final audit syllabus is long. But the theory repeats itself after a while. The main areas are these:

• Standards on Auditing and quality control
• Company audit, including CARO 2020
• Audit reports and how they get modified
• Audit of banks, insurance companies and public sector entities
• Internal audit and management audit
• Forensic audit, due diligence and ESG assurance
• Digital auditing
• Professional ethics

Say management has hidden a big loan. You must spot it. You must decide how it changes your opinion. Then you must word the report right. That is what this paper wants. Words matter a lot here. One right phrase in your report can win marks. So write your answers. 

Fact check:
The numbers in this guide come from ICAI notices, and the result declared on 18 June 2026. ICAI can change dates, amendments, and rules. Please confirm anything important on icai.org before you plan your attempt. (Source)

Paper-wise CA Final Syllabus For Group II

Group II is the second half of the CA Final syllabus. It has three papers, and they mostly deal with tax and the big integrated case study. Here is what each one covers:

Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation

One paper covers income tax and international tax. One coaching source says the split is about 70 marks for direct tax and 30 for international tax. Take that as a rough guide. It is not a rule. You will see questions on these areas:

• Computing total income for individuals, firms and companies
• Capital gains and special rates
• TDS and TCS
• Assessments, appeals and dispute resolution
• Transfer pricing and tax treaties

Direct tax changes every year with the Budget. For the November 2026 attempt, ICAI’s amendment list for Paper 4 follows the Finance Act 2026. So study only from the latest material. Plan for about 250 hours.

Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws

This paper covers GST, customs, and the foreign trade policy. About 75 marks come from GST. About 25 marks come from customs and FTP. This is again from a coaching source. Expect questions on these topics:

• Registration and returns
• Input tax credit, including blocked credits
• Time, value and place of supply
• Refunds and appeals
• Customs valuation and duty

About 120 hours should be enough. Do not skip customs and FTP. They look small. But they carry real marks.

Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions

IBS is different from the rest. It has no fixed syllabus. It is a case study paper. It checks if you can join FR, AFM, Audit, DT, and IDT in one answer. Recent exam analysis says Strategic Cost and Performance Management and corporate laws are also needed here.

A case could address a company’s plan to merge. Accounting, valuation, taxation, audit, and legal measures are all to be considered together. Students who write their five subjects well are more likely to perform well here.

CA Final Syllabus 2026 and 2025: Which One Applies?

There are still a lot of students looking for the CA Final syllabus 2025. They wonder if it is different. The answer is simple. The 2025 syllabus was a transition period. From the 2026 sessions, ICAI runs exams on the new scheme. It has six papers. So the CA Final syllabus 2026 is the one to follow. Your next sitting is November 2026. These are the dates ICAI announced, as reported by TaxRoutine:

Form opening for the exam was on 6 July 2026. If your exams are near, see which amendments are relevant for your exams taken in November 2026. Apply the latest changes in the Revision Test Papers (RTPs) of ICAI.

Did you know?
ICAI notified the new CA Final syllabus on 1 July 2023. It cut the subjects from eight to six. (Source)

CA Final Exam Pattern and Passing Marks

The CA Final exam pattern is simple to understand. You write six papers across two groups, and each paper is worth 100 marks. But the passing rules are where many students slip. Knowing them early helps you plan better. The table below shows the rules in one place. 

You can clear a group in parts. Any paper where you score 60 or more stays safe. That is a real plus of the new scheme.

How Hard Is It to Pass?

Fewer than 15 out of 100 students cleared both groups in the May 2026 attempt. Group I was the tougher one. Here are the numbers, reported by Careers360 from ICAI’s results:

In that session, 3,345 of 23,776 students cleared both groups. In all, 7,931 candidates qualified as Chartered Accountants. Do not let these numbers scare you. They only mean you need a plan.

How Many Hours Does the CA Final Syllabus Need?

Hours depend on the teacher and the batch, so there is no fixed number. But most classes fall in a similar range. These are the usual class hours for each paper. Don’t forget to add time for your own revision and practice on top.

Add your own revision and test practice on top. Many students plan five to six months of focused study for one attempt.

Which CA Final Papers Are the Toughest?

The answer changes from batch to batch. But recent results give a hint. The January 2026 attempt was called one of the hardest ever. AFM, IDT, and IBS were rated the toughest in Physics Wallah’s exam analysis.

No paper is easy. But each one has a pattern. You can learn it.

Also Read: Guidance to Crack CA Final Exam

A Simple Six-Month Plan for the CA Final Syllabus

Not sure how to split your time? Here is a simple six-month plan to start with. It moves from the big papers to the tax papers, then to case studies and mock tests. The table below shows what to focus on each month.

Quick, consistent blocks played the odd night-time. That is safer than reading it five times in one week.

Common Mistakes Students Make

There are a couple of common errors we miss while preparing for CA Final Syllabus:

• Using old material. Tax papers punish outdated law.
• Leaving IBS for the end. It needs all five other subjects. Start cases early.
• Reading more than writing. Working notes and presentation carry marks in every paper.
• Forgetting the exemption rule. A score of 60 or above is considered safe. Revise it lightly. Do not drop it.
• Mock tests in the last week. Timing is a skill. It requires time to develop.

Once you’ve identified them, you can correct any of these.

Trusted Study Resources that Work.

You do not need ten sources. Four are enough for most students:

• ICAI study material for the base concepts
• Revision Test Papers (RTPs) for amendments and the latest question style
• Mock Test Papers (MTPs) for timed practice
• Past papers with suggested answers, to see how ICAI wants answers written

Add a good test series if you can. Find someone who can review your answers too. The rest is optional.

Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About CA Exam

How to Approach the Syllabus

One plan will not suit everyone. A first-timer, a repeater and a working student all start from different places. So pick the row that matches you. It shows where to begin and one tip to keep in mind. Below the table, you will find a short note for each type of student.

Newbies: Begin with a paper that is budget neutral. FR and AFM work well. Did you do your articleship in statutory audit? Then FR will feel familiar. Keep tax for later. That way, you study the newest amendments.

Repeaters: Look at your marksheet honestly. A paper with 60 or above is already safe. Put your energy into papers where you came close. Writing practice is more beneficial for many repeaters than additional reading.

Working students: Plans don’t have to be flawless. It is required that you have one that is repeatable. Choose 2-3 study blocks in a week. Assign a topic to each block. Test yourself at the end of the test.

The rules are similar for all students. Keep ICAI material and RTPs at the centre. Solve past papers. Write full answers with a timer on.

Also Read: CA Salary in India

Career Scope After CA Final

Clearing CA Final opens many doors. In May 2026 alone, ICAI announced 7,931 new Chartered Accountants. Firms, banks, and companies hire from this pool every year. Common paths include:

• Audit and assurance, in a firm or in-house
• Taxation and advisory work
• Corporate finance and FP&A
• Investment banking and valuation
• Forensic and risk consulting
• Your own practice

Salaries are widely diverse and dependent on city, employer, and experience. Verify the latest statistics from a reliable source prior to making your decision.

What’s Next: Syllabus Changes Expected in 2028

In order to review the education and training, ICAI has constituted a Committee for Review of Education and Training (CRET). It is currently evaluating the curriculum as a whole. AI, data, ESG, and sustainability will be added. As per the report of PTI, the new curriculum will be released in 2028.

At present, there is no change in the existing CA Final syllabus. For others who are just starting their CA career, stay updated on the announcements from ICAI.

Quick Recap: CA Final Syllabus Key Points

Short on time? Here it is in one place.

• Papers: six, in Group I and Group II
• Marks: 100 per paper, 600 in total
• Group I: FR, AFM and Audit
• Group II: Direct Tax, Indirect Tax and IBS
• Passing: 40% per paper, 50% aggregate in each group
• Exemption: 60% or more keeps a paper cleared
• Sessions: May and November every year
• Next attempt: November 2026, Group I from 2 November, Group II from 9 November
• Coming change: a new curriculum with AI and data analytics, expected from 2028.

Also Read: CA Foundation syllabus

Why Choose Imarticus Learning?

Passing the CA Final Syllabus is a big achievement. However, what you do next is just as important. Many CAs add a global qualification or a finance skill set to stand out. This is where Imarticus Learning comes in.

• A name that leads in finance education. Imarticus is ranked #1 in finance education with 15+ programs. It also won Best Education Provider in Finance at the Elets World Education Summit.
• Global programs with a big partner. It is India’s first and only approved prep provider for four global accounting and finance programs. 
• Job-assured programs. Courses are 100% guaranteed for employment and career assistance. That includes resume assistance, interview assistance, and placement assistance.
• Real results. Imarticus reports 40,000+ placements, an average salary of 7 LPA, a highest salary of 22 LPA, and a 60% average salary hike. More than 1,500 hiring partners work with it.
• Teachers who have done the job. Faculty include Dr. Kapil Gautam Thakore, a CA with 28+ years of training experience. Others have worked at Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, and HSBC.
• Strong partners: Well-known institutes like IIM Lucknow, IIM Calcutta, and ISB conduct such programs.

In short, you receive a curriculum that is defined by industry, industry field teachers, and real career support. If you are planning your next move after CA, finance courses is worth a look. Want mentors, test practice, and a fixed schedule? 

FAQ’s about CA Final Syllabus

Still have doubts about the CA Final syllabus? Here are quick answers to the questions students ask most.

What is the ICAI CA Final syllabus for Financial Reporting?

It is mostly Ind AS and how to apply them. You study standards on revenue, leases, financial instruments, and more. You also cover consolidation, business combinations, and analysis of financial statements. In short, you learn how a real company’s books get made and explained.

What is the CA Final syllabus?

It is the list of topics ICAI can ask in the final exam. There are six papers in two groups. FR, AFM, and Audit are in Group I. Direct Tax, Indirect Tax, and IBS are in Group II. The total marks for each paper are 100.

What was your CA final preparation strategy?

Ask most toppers, and the answer sounds boring. Start with papers that do not change every year. Keep revising from day one. Write plenty of practice answers. Fancy tricks rarely come up. Being consistent does.

How much time is required for CA Final preparation?

Most students need five to six months of serious study for one attempt. It depends on what you already know. For those who need a guiding structure to keep them on track, Imarticus Learning offers finance programmes that many aspirants make use of.

What are the best ways to prepare for CA Final exams?

Take ICAI material and RTPs as a base. Take notes to revise. Use a timer when solving past papers. Repeat all the errors. Always use the most recent amendments for tax papers.

What are the 6 papers in CA Final?

Paper 1 is Financial Reporting. Advanced Financial Management is Paper 2. Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics is Paper 3. Paper 4 is Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation. Paper 5 is on Indirect Tax Laws. Paper 6 is on Integrated Business Solutions.

Which stage of CA is hardest?

Most people say CA Final. The numbers agree. The May 2026 pass rate for both groups was 14.07%. You face the volume, the amendments, and the stamina test all at once. Still, many students find Intermediate just as stressful in its own way.

What is a CA monthly salary?

There is no exact answer! It varies by city, experience, and employer. Freshers in big firms often start at a different level from those in smaller ones. Take a peek at the latest job postings. Look for individuals who are currently in the positions you seek. Programmes from Imarticus Learning can also help you build skills that employers look for.

Wrapping Up: Make the CA Final Syllabus Work Smoothly

The CA Final syllabus looks scary at first. But once you break it into six papers, it gets much easier to handle. The exam consists of two groups of 6 papers, for 600 marks. Be familiar with the questions on each paper. Be familiar with the passing rules. Select the plan which fits into your budget. The new scheme also provides you with something that you were not able to avail from the previous scheme. Any papers with 60 points (or higher) remain clear.

For 2028, please refer to the notices issued by ICAI about amendment/changes. Please always use the Syllabus applicable to your attempt. Take the next step with a finance courses and receive expert support and structured practice in addition to your own.

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